The Red Hot Love

Simple soldier, hand it over; stop and read what you just wrote her. Strangulation, altercation; oral sex and bird migration ~ “21st Century”, from the 2006 album Stadium Arcadium

Only Anthony Kiedis, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ frontman since its inception, would sing a song about sex, bird flu and the craziness of the current century!

Four months ago, if someone had asked me if I was a fan of RHCP, I would have said something like, “I like a few of their songs, but I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a ‘fan'”. If you asked me now? “OMG I love them, they are amazing, probably one of my favourite bands!” So, how did this even happen?!

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The Travel Wishlist: Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia, TurkeyCappadocia (Turkish: Kapadokya; Greek: Καππαδοκία Kappadokía) is a historical region in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The name is traditionally used to represent and define a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterised by fairy chimneys and a unique historical, cultural and geological heritage. The region is located south-west of the major city Kayseri, and important settlements in the area include: Ürgüp, Göreme, Ihlara Valley, Selime, Güzelyurt, Uchisar, Avanos and Zelve. Göreme National Park and the rock sites of Cappadocia are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cappadocia is in the Top Ten of places I would love to visit in Turkey. The view pictured above, taken from a hot air balloon, is absolutely breathtaking. I am very interested in natural landscapes, especially those with intriguing geological formations, and Cappadocia satiates that fascination.

One day!

~Jess

The Jacket

Ýar, sen gerek, maňa sen gerek
(Sweetheart, you’re needed, I need you)

The best floral jacket I've ever seen.

Have you ever loved an item of clothing so much, that it drives you up the wall? I don’t mean an item you already have in your possession, but a top, skirt or a dress that you’ve seen on somebody else and you wish you could have for yourself. Well, this ‘clothing envy’ is happening to me right now. And what’s worse is that the chances of finding the exact same item to have and to hold as my own is next to none.

Why? Because the beautiful floral jacket worn by the young lady above comes from a video clip. For a Turkmen song.

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The Travel Wishlist: Samarqand, Uzbekistan

Samarqand, Uzbekistan

Samarqand (Uzbek Cyrillic: Самарқанд; Russian: Самарканд)
alternatively Samarkand, is one of the largest cities in Uzbekistan. The city is notable for being in a central position on the Silk Road between China and the West, and an Islamic centre for scholarly study. It boasts many significant landmarks, including Registan square (pictured above) which was the ancient centre of the city. Samarqand has carefully preserved the traditions of ancient crafts: embroidery, silk weaving, copper engravings, ceramics, carving and wood paintings.

Samarqand, what a beautiful looking place. It’s the architecture that particularly interests me, with the decorated sandstone and the minarets with all the different colours. I think visiting here would really make me feel like I had stepped back in time.

Shahrizoda (Uzbek music group that I like) has a song called ‘Samarqandcha‘ which is all about three princes of Samarqand that are playful and charming!

~Jess

The Redhead Obsession

Having red hair is like being born a diamond – you’re immediately tougher, and way better looking. ~ Race Imboden

Jan Siegmund
Jan Siegmund is fascinated by his hair in his portrait for ‘Red Hot 100’. I’m also fascinated… © Thomas Knights

So, if you’ve read my About page, you’d realise that I have a thing for redheads. Redheaded men, to be more precise. Just by looking at my header you might be able to realise it as well. But where did this ‘obsession’ come from, and why?

A lot of my friends are a little baffled at the craze that I have. But I don’t see it’s anything to be ashamed of, or any different from someone liking blonde-haired or dark-haired men. There is a stigma about redheaded men that photographer Thomas Knights has tried to remove through his Red Hot 100 campaign and exhibition. Henceforth, I will be using images from said exhibition in this post, because they truly encompass the beauty of a redheaded man.

So, WHEN did this obsession start? I could probably give you the year. 2009!

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